Things to Do in Japan: 14 Picks for a First Trip

Quick answer

On a first trip, focus on Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. In Tokyo, see Senso-ji, Shibuya Crossing and a sky deck at sunset; in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama; in Osaka, Dotonbori by night. Add a Mount Fuji or Hakone day trip and half a day in Nara. Most temples cost under ₹500; trains and ticketed experiences are the big costs.

14 things worth your time in Japan

01
Senso-ji and Asakusa
Landmark
Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and the snack and souvenir stalls of Nakamise street.
2 hoursFree
Go before 8 am or after dark; the grounds stay open and are lit up at night.
02
Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky
Landmark
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing, then an open-air rooftop deck above it with views to Mount Fuji on clear days.
2–3 hoursShibuya Sky about ₹1,500–2,000 (¥2,500–3,400)
Sunset slots sell out three to four weeks ahead; book as soon as your dates are fixed.
03
Meiji Jingu and Harajuku
Landmark
A shrine in 70 hectares of forest, a five-minute walk from the youth fashion and crepe stands of Takeshita Street.
2 hoursFree
04
teamLab Planets
Experience
An immersive digital art museum in Toyosu where you walk barefoot through rooms of light, mirrors and knee-deep water.
2 hoursAbout ₹2,100–2,600 (¥3,600–4,500)
Wear shorts or trousers that roll up above the knee. Tickets are timed and sell out on weekends.
05
Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko
Day trip
The Chureito Pagoda viewpoint, lakeside walks and the ropeway to Mount Tenjo, two hours from Shinjuku.
Full dayHighway bus about ₹2,500 (¥4,400) return; guided tours ₹6,000–9,000
Fuji hides behind cloud on many days, especially June to August. Check the live cameras the night before and keep this day flexible.
06
Hakone
Day trip
A loop of mountain train, ropeway over the sulphur vents of Owakudani and a boat across Lake Ashi, with hot-spring ryokans for an overnight stay.
Full day or overnightHakone Free Pass about ₹3,500–4,000 (¥6,000–7,000) from Shinjuku
Most onsen are gender-separated and require bathing without swimwear. Private onsen rooms solve this for families and couples.
07
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Landmark
Thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing Mount Inari behind Kyoto, open 24 hours.
2–3 hoursFree
The crowds thin after the first 20 minutes of climbing. Go before 8 am for empty tunnels.
08
Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama
Landmark
A wooden temple stage over a wooded slope, then the stone lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka down to Gion at dusk.
Half dayAbout ₹230–300 (¥400–500)
Some of Gion's private lanes ban photography and entry. Never block or photograph geiko without asking.
09
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji
Nature
A short path through tall bamboo beside a Zen temple garden, with river walks and the monkey park across the bridge.
Half dayGrove free; Tenryu-ji garden about ₹300 (¥500)
By 9:30 am the grove is shoulder to shoulder. Take the first train and arrive by 7:30.
10
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Landmark
A gold-leaf pavilion reflected in a pond, one of Japan's most photographed sights.
1 hourAbout ₹300 (¥500)
11
Nara Park and Todai-ji
Day trip
Free-roaming deer that bow for crackers, and a 15 m bronze Buddha inside one of the largest wooden halls in the world. Under an hour from Kyoto or Osaka.
Half dayTodai-ji about ₹460 (¥800); deer crackers about ₹120
The deer nip when they see food. Hold crackers high and give them away quickly.
12
Dotonbori and Osaka Castle
Food
Neon canal-side streets, the Glico running man sign and Osaka's street food. The castle park is lovely in blossom season.
Evening, plus 2 hours for the castleFree to walk; castle museum about ₹350–700 (¥600–1,200)
13
Universal Studios Japan
Experience
Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are the main draws for families and teenagers.
Full dayAbout ₹5,000–6,800 (¥8,600–11,800) depending on date
Super Nintendo World needs a timed entry ticket on busy days. Get it in the app the moment you enter, or buy an Express Pass.
14
Hiroshima and Miyajima
Day trip
The Peace Memorial Park and museum, then the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island.
Full day from Kyoto or OsakaPeace Memorial Museum about ₹120 (¥200); Miyajima visitor tax ¥100
This is the trip that makes a Japan Rail Pass worthwhile. Without one, the return shinkansen from Kyoto costs about ₹12,000.

What should first-timers do in Japan?

Japan rewards a simple route: Tokyo for three or four days, Kyoto for two or three, and Osaka for one or two, with Nara and either Mount Fuji or Hakone as day trips. Trains make this easy. The Nozomi bullet train reaches Kyoto from Tokyo in about 2 hours 15 minutes, and sights are well signed in English.

Entry fees are low. Most temples charge ¥400–800 (₹230–460), and many shrines are free. The real costs are trains, ticketed experiences such as teamLab and Universal Studios, and food.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?

For the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka loop, usually not. The 7-day pass costs ¥50,000 (about ₹29,000) on the official site, and from October 2026 ¥53,000 through travel agents. A one-way Tokyo–Kyoto Nozomi ticket costs about ¥14,000, so you need extra long journeys, such as Hiroshima, before the pass pays off. Buy point-to-point shinkansen tickets and use a Suica or ICOCA card for city trains.

How to beat the crowds

Start early. Fushimi Inari at 7 am and Arashiyama at 7:30 am feel like different places from the same spots at 11 am.
Book timed entries ahead. Shibuya Sky sunset slots, teamLab and the Ghibli Museum sell out weeks in advance.
Use luggage forwarding (takkyubin) between cities, about ¥2,500–3,500 per bag, so you don't drag suitcases through stations.

On the Tokyo–Osaka shinkansen, suitcases with total dimensions over 160 cm need a reserved oversized-luggage seat. Book one or forward your bags.

Plan your dates with the best time to visit Japan, follow our 8-day Japan itinerary and check the Japan trip cost. Vegetarians should read the Japan food guide before landing.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Japan?

Eight days is a comfortable first trip covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, with one day trip to Mount Fuji or Hakone. Six days is possible if you skip the Fuji trip and spend less time in Osaka. Ten to twelve days lets you add Hiroshima, Miyajima or the Japanese Alps without rushing.

Is Japan expensive for Indian tourists?

Japan is pricier than Southeast Asia but cheaper than many expect, partly because the yen has been weak. Temples cost ₹230–460, convenience-store meals ₹400–800 and a casual restaurant meal ₹700–1,500. Trains and hotels are the big expenses. A realistic ground spend is ₹4,500–7,000 per person per day, excluding the hotel.

Can you see Mount Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo?

Yes. Highway buses from Shinjuku reach Kawaguchiko in about two hours, and guided tours cover Chureito Pagoda and the lakes in a long day. Fuji is often hidden by cloud, especially from June to August. Winter and autumn mornings give the best chance of a clear view, so keep the day flexible and check live cameras.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.